The Press., 1887-03-17
(For The Press.) HE IS DEAD.
Yes lhe ia dead

HE IS DEAD.
 Yes he is dead ais, But could you but have been here at the last, But heard his feeble, anxious, soulful cry, x, ssSay has he come ?" Could you but have seen The anguish that swelled forth from out that
 face, g Y, When in whispered words was answered, mo,
 not yet.
 Gould you but know, but feel his every breath Was but prayer to God, that he might once
 again
 And gaze his fill, into face he loved 50 well, You would but say T love"
 Yes he is dead. Gould you but have seen that fearful, woe
 worn face,
 Wasted and worn with prayers and watching, Watching, with soul lit eyes, for a sign from
 you,
 That you would yet but give him kindly love, Or a simple word to give him truth you dare
 not show, You would but feel how hard youF heart had
 been, How great the sin of having held within your
 grasp .l The all of love his generous heart could give And ne'er in word or look responded to hi,
 want,
 You would but say 1T love.,'
 Yes! he is dead. I would, could in words express to you The all saw and feel he held within hit
 heart
 For thee, he held it close, and would not ma
 impart ff- A semblance of the all knew he felt; knew he felt you would yet come, so tha | he might On life's last night, in freedom whisper to yoJ all the tender truths ,sE His lips could only breathe to thee in that las
 frail strife 1 For breath, to utter the words he only helt for thee,
 Cans't thou not say ''I loved" -.....-.
 Yes he is dead. would, conld but tell you, how his wand | ering thoughts Were far away from us, who tended him witl
 such fond care. s.. l His wandering eyes were far away, searching | in painful gaze st .-s S. For you, he felt or deemed was needful fo
 his deathly rest.
 He searched the vacant space for you, who's l face to him His weakened hand outstretched, as if h Ton would but see and take it, hold it warm And ease the chill of death, that now ba l come f-g- To sever his life from thee. An l cans't thou say ''I love S''
 Yes he is dead His earnest, anxious face was fraught wit 1 prayer, ...#s. . That he again might see your face and hea ! vO1r vOicA That you would at the last but hold him
 your heart,
 And tell him all the truth of what your sol
 SO felt Would in the severance of his life from all o
 earth Give proof to him of your dear, earthly love Casn't thou not say 'SI love" Yes! he is dead. So deeply bedded in his soul was love for the' That sense of coming death had lost the powt To sever his thoughts from thee, or make hil That God would judge and bring you to hin
 when
 You found him where you could but call hil
 friend.
 Cans't thou not say II love Y
 Yes he is dead.
 Could you but have been here simple hou
 ago,
 And heard the last, weak words he gasped, "Yes, he has come. I knew he would-e 1 kind. I told you so he is so good, to find. I thank thee God. hold his hand in min' An answer to my earnest prayers, life no
 unbind.
 He's come at last he's come at last, pains o'el I have him now. llhold him fast once mor' Yet take me Lord, Pm ready now to die, Since he love on earth is here so nigh" And then he passed away from earth, Thinking through love and faith that you wei here.
 His anxious lovein his weakness made @ 2 Your presence needful, twas but Gods aid That made him feel that you were near, And never the all he held so dear. @ I have no words to tell thee more, Iris OCT now, he's past the shore Of want of such love as you can give. Now cry forgive.
 Springfield, November. 1886. r. JOSIAH.